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Home » Drink Recipes » Cocktails » Vodka Cocktails

Lemon Basil Martini

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This lemon basil martini is the perfect balance of sweet and sour with a subtle basil flavor. Made with a homemade herb infused syrup for the most authentic flavor.

A lemon basil martini on a grey coaster, garnished with basil and a lemon slice.

For other flavored martini recipes, try this strawberry martini, this raspberry martini, or this Baileys espresso martini.

Or, try one of the martini recipes from this list of fruity martini recipes.

Jump to:
  • Recipe Highlights
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • FAQ
  • 📖 Recipe

Recipe Highlights

  • The homemade basil syrup in this recipe is made with fresh basil leaves which gives an authentic basil taste without any artificial flavoring.
  • The sweet basil syrup balances out the sour lemon for a smooth drink.
  • If you make the basil syrup in advance, this lemon drop martini is incredibly fast to make.

Ingredients & Substitutions

The ingredients needed to make the martini.
  • Lemon Juice: Since this is the main star of the cocktail, only use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Artificial lemon juice can taste overly sour.
  • Vodka: Use a medium quality vodka. Save top shelf vodka for drinking on the rocks.
  • Basil: This homemade simple syrup is infused with fresh basil leaves. Dried basil won’t work for this recipe.
  • Sugar: Use granulated sugar. Brown sugar will also work but will give the drink a slight caramel flavor.
  • Water: A bit of water is used to make the simple syrup.

Equipment

  • A small saucepan to make the basil simple syrup in.
  • A cocktail shaker to make the martini in.
  • A coupe or martini glass to serve the cocktail in.

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the water, basil and sugar on a saucepan over medium heat. Heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Don’t let it boil. Once the sugar has completely dissolved, remove the syrup from the stove. 

Step 2: Strain out the basil leaves from the syrup. Discard the leaves.

A collage of process photos illustrating steps 1 and 2.

Step 3: Add the basil syrup, lemon juice and vodka to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well for 5 to 8 seconds until frosted on the outside. Strain and serve.

A process photo illustrating the lemon drop martini being poured into a coupe glass.

Expert Tips

  • Store leftover simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Chill the martini glasses in the freezer before serving the martini.
  • To make a sugar rim, run a lemon slice along the edge of the martini glass. Then, dip the rim in a 1:1 combination of granulated sugar and lemon zest.
  • For garnish, use a thin lemon slice or make a lemon twist. To make a lemon twist, use a vegetable peeler to peel a thin slice of lemon peel. Then, wrap the peel around a chopstick and hold it in place for 10 seconds for it to take shape.

FAQ

Can I use limoncello instead of vodka?

Limoncello will overpower the other flavors in this lemon martini. Instead, try making this limoncello martini or this limoncello tonic.

Can I muddle the basil instead of making the syrup?

Even though other lemon basil martini recipes muddle the basil leaves, this doesn’t add nearly as much basil flavor as making a homemade basil syrup.

Overhead view of a lemon basil martini garnished with a basil leave and a lemon wedge.
Print

📖 Recipe

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A lemon basil martini on a grey coaster, garnished with basil and a lemon slice.

Lemon Basil Martini


  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 martini 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This lemon basil martini is the perfect balance of sweet and sour with a subtle basil flavor. Made with a homemade herb infused syrup for the most authentic flavor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • Basil Simple Syrup:
    • ½ cup basil leaves, packed
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ½ cup water
  • Lemon Basil Martini:
    • 1 ½ oz basil simple syrup
    • 1 oz vodka
    • 1 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed

Instructions

  1. First, make the basil syrup: Add the basil leaves, sugar and water to a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Bring to a gentle simmer, but don’t let the syrup boil. Continue to heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until the sugar has fully dissolved.
  2. Remove the saucepan from the stove and strain out the basil leaves. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before using.
  3. Then, make the martini: Add the basil syrup, lemon juice and vodka to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well for 5 to 10 seconds until the outside is frosted. Strain and pour into a chilled martini glass.

Notes

  • Storing the syrup: Store leftover basil syrup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 martini
  • Calories: 214
  • Sugar: 38g
  • Sodium: 8mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 39.2g
  • Fiber: 0.2g
  • Protein: 0.1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: lemon drop martini, lemon martini

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

More Vodka Cocktails

  • Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
  • Peppermint Espresso Martini
  • Grapefruit Martini
  • Limoncello Martini

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Ali in a white tank top wearing sunglasses, with trees with yellow leaves in the background.

Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

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